Doepfer

Greetings everyone!

Before I begin, I'd like to admit that there's a good chance that this 
project will go nowhere.  I have mentioned before that I'm building a new 
module, and I may have plans to sell it.  I may as well let everyone know 
what I'm doing, because I'd love some feedback.  Even if I do succeed, it 
will be months before I have a prototype.  If I fail, I'll share all the 
information I've accumulated so far.

The module will be a "multi-use" digital module:

* It will have 4 inputs and 4 outputs. (8 bit resolution on the a/d and d/a 
converters)

* The brain will be a microcontroller, which is basically a little computer 
on a circuit board, programmed in 'C' or assembly.

* The unit will have a 16 character LED and three or four buttons to select 
patches and change parameters.

* It will NOT have non-volitile memory on board.

* Here's what it will do:

  Clocked pattern generation
  clock divider
  all the basic logic (and/or/xor)
  clocked/unclocked random gate generator
  gate delay, etc ...

And, if I'm lucky, it should also do:

  LFOs (voltage controlled)
  ADSRs
  8-bit sample and hold
  8-bit audio distortion (??)
  Noise generator
  Envelope follower
  Logical comparison of 2 voltages
..and other low frequency cv stuff that won't suffer because of the 8 bit 
resolution.

QUESTIONS!!! --

1.  Would it be horrible if the unit only output 0-5 volts on the 4 output 
lines?  I can do 0-12 volts if people wish.

2.  This unit may cost a lot to produce.  Is it worth it?  I'm guessing that 
the final product may cost around $400-$500 USD.

3.  Anyone have any requests?  I'm trying to keep it simple so I can finish 
it.  Some patches may have more than one function.  For instance, since 
there are 4 outputs, there may be a patch with 4 different LFOs on the 
outputs at once.  Or, two LFOs and two ADSRs.

For the curious, I'm using a rigel corporation R-535J prototype micro 
controller board.

I'm super excited about this project!  I'm not a capitolist money monger, 
and I would be happy if other people built similar modules.  The more the 
better.

Thanks,
- Bret

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.